Cal Poly’s 2020 Rose Parade float among the first in the lineup
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Cal Poly will be in the spotlight on New Year's Day when its "Aquatic Aspirations" float is one of the first to roll down the streets of Pasadena as part of the 2020 Rose Parade.
The float, made by both Cal Poly and Cal Poly Pomona students, features a submarine navigating around a sunken shipwreck.
It will be the fourth overall participant in the 131st Rose Parade and just the second float in the lineup. The parade has 44 floats in total, along with 23 marching bands and 16 equestrian groups.
700,000 people are expected to see the parade in person, with about 37 million Americans watching from home.
"It is very exciting," said Sydney Strong, president of the team at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. "We've never been so close to the beginning of the route. The entire team is very excited to have this opportunity, and we hope that we get to share our float with all those watching the parade. There are a few nerves with being so close to the front of the parade, but I think that this doesn't necessarily place more pressure on us — just gets us a bit more excited!"
Cal Poly has played a large role in the Rose Parade. It has the sixth highest number of appearances, behind only the cities of Los Angeles, South Pasadena, Alhambra, Burbank, and Sierra Madre.
